Record-breaker Warnock says he might give up watching football once he retires

Neil Warnock is braced to set a new English management record this week.

The 72-year-old has been around the block umpteen times but he is still enjoying himself as boss of Middlesbrough - his 16th club in a long and successful career in the dugout.

And on Tuesday night the veteran boss will break a new record when he surpasses Dario Gradi's tally of 1,601 games as a professional manager.

Warnock equalled it last Saturday but had little to cheer about as Boro lost 2-0 at home to Birmingham City.

He'll now be hoping he can toast the landmark achievement with three points against Luton Town as Boro look to close in on the Championship play-offs.

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Neil Warnock will break an English management record on Tuesday night

Speaking ahead of the trip to Kenilworth Road, Warnock pondered his longevity and also admitted he may well give up following football once he eventually retires.

He was asked specifically about the abuse managers receive, with a clear reference to Steve Bruce's treatment prior to his departure as Newcastle boss.

"It's got really, really nasty," Warnock said.

"I couldn't have done what Steve did at Newcastle, if I'm honest. I don't need the job that much. I don't mean that as disrespect to Steve, but I couldn't work in that environment at all, me.

Steve Bruce endured plenty of abuse during his time as Newcastle boss

"I didn't think he deserved that. One of the seasons, his record was as good, if not better, than Rafa Benitez, but because they love Rafa Benitez and he wasn't Mike Ashley's man, he got away with murder, whereas poor old Steve gets hung, drawn and quartered.

"It's not getting any easier. I doubt if I'll ever watch football again when I retire, if I'm honest."

In his pomp Warnock admits he rubbed some people up the wrong way but he has mellowed down the years. Whilst he accepts that criticism is part and parcel of the job, he did have something to say about those who perhaps question or pigeonhole his tactics.

Warnock is in his 40th year as a club manager

He added: "I've been called 'Marmite Man' and all sorts, haven't I - and that's even your own fans. Some like you, some dislike you. I actually love Marmite and Bovril!

"When you're my age, you do get labelled - you're 'dinosaurs' and all that lot, 'long-ball merchants'.

"I look at some of the teams in our league now and I've never, ever been as long as them in a million years, but because they're young, they don't get criticised."

Speaking about the record that he will set at Kenilworth Road, Warnock spoke to BBC Radio Tees : "I'm very proud to have done this.

"I didn't think I would. I owe a lot to Steve Gibson, because I wouldn't have carried on in football if he hadn't made that phone call.

"I had no idea about the record until two weeks ago, and someone has told me I've got another record coming up in about 14 or 15 league games.

"I've just got to keep my job for a few months and do the best I can."